Enzo Maresca has just taken his second pre-match press conference as Chelsea manager, and even if he stays at the club for years there will be few as interesting as this.
There is just so much ground to cover, so many news stories combining in different ways, and so many pressure points for the coach and his club.
One issue that had largely been forgotten in all the transfer drama was the captaincy. Reece James is the captain, but as we’ve sadly seen over the last few years, this is largely a ceremonial role for Reece, as he’s so often suspended or injured (or in this case, both.
According to last season’s system, next up would be Conor Gallagher or Ben Chilwell – but both are being ostracised and forced out.
This meant that on Sunday, Enzo Fernandez was called up to wear the armband – despite the racist chant nightmare which threatened to tear the dressing room apart earlier in the summer.
Maresca makes it clear
There is another potential candidate that stands out to us – homegrown, talented and calm. Levi Colwill. This was put to Maresca, but he claimed that he had some reservations about giving it to the centre back, at least at the moment:
“Some of them need to take one step forward and take more responsibility. For instance, one of the guys would be Levi Colwill. He is a young player, fantastic profile, I love Levi. But I think in terms of personality, if he is able to take one step forward in these types of things, then he can become a more complete player.”
We’re inclined to agree – let’s hope this is a season of growth in those departments for Levi.
Tomorrow night’s Conference League game will have an unusual amount of attention on where that little (C) to denote the captain is placed.
